The effects of home-based exercise therapy for breast cancer-related fatigue induced by radical radiotherapy

Abstract

Background Radiotherapy (RT) can lead to cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer patients. The purpose of this trial was to examine the feasibility and efficacy of a home-based resistance and aerobic exercise intervention for reducing CRF and improving HRQoL in breast cancer patients during RT. Methods Women with breast cancer (N = 106) commencing RT were randomized to 12 weeks of home-based resistance and aerobic exercise (EX) or usual care/control (CON). The primary endpoint was CRF, with secondary endpoints of HRQoL, sleep duration and quality, and physical activity. Measurements were undertaken prior to RT, at completion of RT (~ 6 weeks), at completion of the intervention (12 weeks), and 6 and 12 months after RT completion, while CRF was also measured weekly during RT. Results Eighty-nine women completed the study (EX = 43, CON = 46). Over the 12-week intervention, EX completed 1–2 resistance training sessions and accumulated 30–40 min of aerobic exercise weekly. For CRF, EX had a quicker recovery both during and post-RT compared to CON (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant difference in HRQoL between groups at RT completion, with HRQoL unchanged in CON and higher in EX (p < 0.05). There was no change in sleep duration or quality for either group and there were no exercise-related adverse effects. Conclusions Home-based resistance and aerobic exercise during RT is safe, feasible, and effective in accelerating CRF recovery and improving HRQoL. Improvements in CRF and HRQoL for these patients can be achieved with smaller exercise dosages than stated in the generic recommendations for breast cancer.

Updated systematic review of the effects of exercise on understudied health outcomes in cancer survivors

“…Two of the trials observed significant benefits of exercise (1 mixed HIIT + resistance 25 and 1 aerobic exercise 29 ) on subjective sleep outcomes (PSQI). Conversely, no statistically significant benefits of exercise on sleep were observed in the other trials 24,26,27,30,31 …”

“…One new systematic review 23 and 8 new RCTs comprising 10 intervention arms were identified 24–31 . Of the recently published RCTs, 3 focused on aerobic exercise only, 2 conducted a resistance‐only arm, 2 combined aerobic and resistance exercise, 2 used aerobic‐based high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) and 1 used a multimodal HIIT + resistance exercise intervention.…”

“…One new systematic review 23 and 8 new RCTs comprising 10 intervention arms were identified. 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 Of the recently published RCTs, 3 focused on aerobic exercise only, 2 conducted a resistance‐only arm, 2 combined aerobic and resistance exercise, 2 used aerobic‐based high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) and 1 used a multimodal HIIT + resistance exercise intervention. Seven studies conducted self‐reported sleep quality measures with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and one included both subjective and objective sleep measures.…”

“…Conversely, no statistically significant benefits of exercise on sleep were observed in the other trials. 24,26,27,30,31 Heterogeneity in systematic review assessments were also observed. 23,32 However, no significant impact on other PSQI measures (daytime dysfunction, sleep disturbance, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and use of sleep medication) or on objectively measured sleep efficiency was observed.…”

Ergänzende Maßnahmen in der Strahlentherapie: Nebenwirkungen und Spätfolgen vorbeugen und behandeln

“…ein heimbasiertes Kraft- und Aerobic-Übungsprogramm während der Bestrahlung einer Brustkrebserkrankung (n = 106) machbar und wirksam ist, um Cancer-Related Fatigue zu lindern und die Lebensqualität zu verbessern 68 .…”